Robert Johnson on possible support of Trump: ‘I will take the devil I know’
BET founder Robert Johnson has not endorsed President Donald Trump.
The founder of BET is not 100 percent sold on Joe Biden.
The first debate between President Donald Trump and Biden aired last night and Bob Johnson is not sold on the former vice-president. Many Black Americans are leaning toward Biden but Johnson said he is looking at the decision between the two candidates from a unique angle.
“Where I come out as a businessman, I will take the devil I know over the devil I don’t know anytime of the week,” Johnson told Squawk Box on Wednesday.
“I know what President Trump has done and what he’s said he will do. I don’t know what Vice President Biden has said he will do other than masks, listen to the scientists,” he said. The 74-year-old also added “pandemic safety” versus “economy growth” in response to how the coronavirus will be handled.
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Johnson has been known as a big Democratic supporter but does support some of Trump’s policies. In 2019, the first Black Billionaire told CNBC that Democrats have moved “too far to the left,” in his view.
“The party in my opinion, for me personally, has moved too far to the left, and for that reason, I don’t have a particular candidate (I’m supporting) in the party at this time,” he told the outlet. “I think at the end of the day, if a Democrat is going to beat Trump, then that person, he or she, will have to move to the center and you can’t wait too long to do that.”
Fast forward to today, Johnson said he was very disappointed with the debate between the candidates and learned nothing.
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“What I had hoped he would do would be a reasonable, relaxed balance, if you will, in a debate where he would talk about specific policies, particularly as it impacts Black Americans,” said the founder. He feared the unknown with Biden.
“I would rather know who I’m going to deal with in the White House,” he said. I’m going to know what regulatory decisions they’re going to make. What fiscal policy decisions, what monetary policies they’re going to make than to be taking a chance, particularly when you have the turbulence of a pandemic.”
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